A solo British traveller who ignored UK government advice to avoid visiting favela districts of Rio de Janeiro says those in authority “clearly haven’t been there themselves”.
Kallen (@kallen_travels) is a seasoned globetrotter and is currently backpacking in Brazil. With Rio one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere, he decided to check it out for himself, taking a trip to one of the city’s 1,000 shantytowns – home to approximately 1.5 million of Brazil’s 215 million population.
In a TikTok clip that has been viewed a staggering 7.7 million times in just five days, Kallen began by walking through a rain-sodden building to a concrete enclosure featuring a ‘street football’ pitch. “Amazing friendly people and a great cultural experience,” he enthused in a caption.
Kallen then headed to an astroturf football pitch, surrounded by murals of Pele, panning around the area with not a soul in sight. “Depends on part, I went multiple times,” a fellow Brit responded in regards to safety. “Never seemed like it was entirely safe but was robbed in the middle of the street on my third visit I’m in daylight, go with a local if you’re going to.”
Another recalled: “I knew a foreign exchange student from favelas, he said it’s so bad if you’re not a local he doesn’t even walk with his phone in his pocket, it’s in his waistband because pick-pocketing is so bad.”
Kallen later returned to his account with a follow-up video, taken from what he described as the largest favela in Rio. Ascending into the hills, he pointed his camera to the “amazing” houses below in the distance as he made his way to the “absolutely boiling” favela.
Much busier this time, Kallen zoomed in on the concrete structures – adorned in graffiti – with a web of exposed electrical wires linking each property to the grid. “Obviously it’s super poor, but the culture in that place is amazing. It was really open to tourists, there were loads of tour guides,” Kallen said. “Try and explore in between all the little alley ways, that’s a good way to go.”
However, a Brazil native slammed his content in response, penning: “As a Brazilian this ‘visiting favelas’ type of video drives me INSANE. You have no idea what truly happens there. Shootings, extreme poverty, drugs. Does that sound nice to you?”
Advice on the government website’s foreign travel section specific to Rio de Janeiro reads: “Avoid all favelas. There are favelas located around the city, including close to the tourist area of Zona Sul and Maré.
“There have been armed clashes on major roads, including the main highway to the international airport, which runs alongside a large favela. Tourists participating in favela tours have accidentally been shot dead during police operations.”
It closes: There is a risk of violence spilling over into nearby areas, including popular tourist areas. There have been injuries and deaths from stray bullets in and near favelas.” The website also warns visitors to the city to be wary of protests, organised crime and militias, theft and the quality of tap water.